An important Medieval artefact displaying the coat of arms of a family hit by treason and execution of the most hideous kind is coming up for auction.
The large 14th century heraldic mount bears the arms of the Despenser family. In 1326, Sir Hugh Despenser the Younger was found guilty of treason – and endured a brutal death.
Watched by a large crowd, he was dragged naked through the streets, tied to a ladder, castrated and burned while still conscious. Biblical verses were written on his body against the capital sins he was accused of and he was hanged as a commoner. However, he was released before full asphyxiation could occur to allow his torture to continue. His entrails were slowly pulled out and his heart was cut out and thrown into a fire. Finally, he was beheaded, his body was cut into four pieces and his head mounted on the gates of London.
The heraldic mount bearing his family’s crest is now set to be sold in a Historic: Coins, Banknotes and Antiquities Auction at Hansons Auctioneers on March 26-27.
Left: The execution of Hugh le Despenser the Younger, from a manuscript of Jean Froissart. (Bibliotheque Nationale MS Fr. 2643, folio 11r)
Right: The artefact and a modern version of the family crest.
Alan Smith, Historica consultant at Hansons, said: “This artefact, which was found in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, some years ago, has an important place in English history. The remarkable object, which is more than 600 years old, is linked to a story of royal battles, intrigue and rivalry.”
Sir Hugh Despenser the Younger rose to national prominence as royal chamberlain and became a favourite of Edward II of England. However, he made many enemies across the nobility of England which, after the overthrow of Edward, eventually led to his death.
Among his enemies was Queen Isabella of France. She had a special dislike for Despenser and, while in France, formed a liaison with Roger Mortimer and planned an invasion of England, which ultimately came to fruition in October 1326. Their forces numbered only about 1,500 mercenaries to begin with, but the majority of the nobility rallied to them, preferring to stand with them rather than Edward and the hated Despensers.
Queen Isabella of France hated the Despensers.
The Despensers fled west with the King, and a sizeable sum from the treasury, however the escape was unsuccessful. Separated from the elder Despenser, the King and the younger Despenser were deserted by most of their followers and captured near Neath. King Edward was placed in captivity and later forced to abdicate in favour of his son Edward III.
The younger Despenser was brought to trial. He tried to starve himself beforehand but was unsuccessful. He went to trial on November 24, 1326, in Hereford, before Mortimer and the Queen, and was found guilty. He was sentenced to death, with Isabella, Mortimer and their followers presiding over the protracted execution.
Mr Smith said: “His enemies may have thought he deserved it but there is no doubt Despenser endured the most hideous, painful and slow death.”
The family mount coming up for auction is of quatrefoil-shape enclosing the Despenser arms flanked on both sides by a dragon. Above this is a smaller beast laying with its head turned. These dragons are in place as a powerful sign of support for the banner.
The artefact is due to be sold during Hansons’ May 6-7 Historica Auction at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire DE65 6LS. This will be an online-only sale due to Covid-19.To find out more, email [email protected]
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